Page 100 of More Than a Spark

“I am.” He tensed his lips. “It might be too late for me to call you after we’re done. Our first session is supposed to last two hours.” He rolled his eyes. “Guess the doc thinks we’ll need it.”

“Use the time wisely.” This was his chance to get his mom back and I really wanted that for him.

“Yeah, I will.” He wrinkled his brows. “You look so sad, baby. God, I wish I was there with you.”

“I’m okay now. I have the best friends in the world and they’re going to make these the greatest last months of college a guy ever had. Okay?” I tugged my lips into a grin. I needed to make the most of the time I had left with them all. “I’ll be playing with the band until I move, so I have more gigs to look forward to.”

“Okay, well, if you need me, call.” He kissed the phone. “Goodnight and I love you.”

“Love you, too.” I blew him a kiss and ended the call. I’d talk to him later in the week, after his therapy appointment with his mom.

TWENTY-SIX

RYDER

Wednesday night, I hurried in my truck to the therapy appointment. The address I had was for a house in South Scottsdale. At least it was in-between where Mom and me both lived. After turning into a subdivision, I pulled up to a modest home with the standard brown stucco exterior and clay-tiled roof seen on a lot of the houses in the area. A large pine tree centered the rocky front yard and Mom’s Mercedes sedan was parked in front of it. Good, she was already here and making small talk with the therapist, no doubt.

I parked behind her car, then sighed as I stepped out and strolled to the front door. I was still wearing my training gear, an athletic t-shirt and cargo trousers. I’d only had time to pick up a quick burger and fries on the way over for dinner. This better be worth it. I rang the doorbell under the short foyer of the house.

The door opened and a woman with long, brown hair answered. “Oh, hello. You must be Ryder.” She stepped aside and held out her hand to me. “I’m Samantha Hollis.”

“Yes, I’m Ryder. Nice to meet you.” Shaking her hand, I looked over her smaller frame. She was dressed casually in a black blouse and jeans. Did she dress like that on purpose to make her clients feel more at ease?

As I followed her inside, my gaze roamed over a comfortable room down the hallway. Samantha must live here.

“Come into my office.” She directed me to a large bedroom turned office that looked out over the front yard and street.

Mom sat on a short, upholstered couch in navy blue, looking like she was out for an afternoon at the golf club in a sleeveless polo shirt and crisp, white shorts.

“Hey, Mom.” I kissed her cheek, then my gaze snagged a matching chair next to the couch. I beelined for it and dropped in. I had to try and focus on this session, but my mind had been consumed by Milo all week. I hadn’t been in the best of moods and even the guys at the academy had taken notice.

“So, did Milo get that job?” Mom peered at me and set her hands on her thighs.

“Yes, he did.” I pressed my lips together. “He’s moving to Seattle in January.” As the familiar ache filled my chest, I rubbed my hand over my heart. It had to get better at some point, right?

Samantha sat in a puffy office chair opposite us with a notebook and pen in her lap. “Who is Milo?”

“Milo’s my um…” I rocked once, then focused on Samantha. I’m sure she’d have no problem with me being queer. “He’s my boyfriend.”

“And he’s moving to Seattle in a few months?” Samantha creased her brows. “How long have you been together?”

I glanced at Mom. “Not long. Well, we’ve been friends since fourth grade, but we’ve only started dating a little over a month ago, when I moved home from Flagstaff.” Shit, this was supposed to be about me and Mom.

Samantha shifted her attention to Mom. “When did you find out your son was…” She arched a brow at me. “How would you define yourself, Ryder?”

“Me? Oh, uh, bisexual, I guess.” I rubbed my sweaty palms down the thighs of my trousers. We’d filled out a bunch of forms about ourselves, but that question hadn’t been on it. I guessed Samantha was digging right in.

Samantha wrote in her notebook, then faced Mom. “When did you find out Ryder was bisexual?”

After clearing her throat and straightening her spine, Mom said, “A little over a week ago when he came to dinner with Milo. They were…” She shifted her gaze to me, her brows furrowing. “They were upset about something, and I found Ryder comforting Milo.”

“Milo was upset about the job situation. He didn’t want to move to Seattle if it meant leaving me behind.” I hung my head. I’d been strong that night, but now with the reality of Milo leaving looming over me, I wasn’t sure how strong I could be.

“Okay, it seems we have a lot to talk about here.” Samantha held up her index finger. “First, how do you feel about your son being bisexual?”

Mom shook her head. “Well, I think I can accept it eventually. Milo’s a nice boy. I’ve known him a long time. I just—” She huffed. “I’m concerned for their safety, you know with all the hate crimes happening lately.”

I rolled my eyes. “Mom, we can handle ourselves. I’m a fireman, for God sakes.” Like I’d let anyone touch Milo. But, what about when he was in Seattle by himself? My chest tightened. Seattle was more queer-friendly than Phoenix. He’d be okay.

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